Gifts from my House to Yours 



ISSUE 2

VOLUME 17

DECEMBER 2008

Mixes to Give

Recipes to Give or Serve 

Christmas Magic for Pennies

Do you want to make gifts from your kitchen just a little more special? Here are some ideas that will add a thoughtful dimension to a food gift. ◊Pack your gifts into a year-round useful container & leave the recipient with something useful or simply “nice to have” item for after the yummies are eaten. ◊Any type of container can be used as long as a clear plastic bag is used for protection. ◊Pickles, party dips, relishes, etc., may be packed in the bowls of a revolving susan, as long as you use tight fitting lids.

thoughtfulness throughout the year. A basket or tin box makes an ideal container. ◊A child’s gift may be wrapped in comic strips and topped with a candy cane. ◊Sheet music is a good gift wrap for the music lover. ◊A gift box may be covered with fabric. It would be reusable and much more sturdy. ◊Cellophane, tissue paper, and crepe paper make good wrappings for food items. ◊An abandoned lunch pail creates an exciting gift – just decorate to please the receiver.

◊A nice big sieve is a good kitchen item when filled with cracked pecans – or other goodies.

◊Fill a child’s toy with “goodies” to make an even more exciting gift.

◊A good looking letter tray will be nice on Dad’s desk after he has shared his Pecan Roll with friends.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS

◊A grain scoop or garden trowel will hold a good dipperful of cereal snacks or salted nuts. Place first in a plastic bag. ◊A steel box organizer (the kind with several plastic see-through drawers) makes a good place for candies, sugared nuts, etc., before finding its final destination in the workshop. ◊Sharing your favorite recipe is a nice gesture. It gives the recipient the opportunity to remember and reproduce your

A Bucket of Fun: In a colorful tin bucket or child’s sand pail, place a coloring book, small package of crayons, small stuffed animal, and a bag of homemade cookies. Muffins in a Muffin Tin: Place a half dozen of your favorite homemade muffins in a new muffin tin. Cover with a clear wrap and tie with a ribbon. Include the recipe. Chocolate Lover Basket: In a decorated basket, place a few brownies (homemade or from a mix), chocolate candies, and a few

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individual hot cocoa mixes. It’s a chocolate lover’s delight! Decorated Mugs: Personalize a plastic mug with a person’s name or fill a pretty one with hot cocoa mix, spiced tea, or coffee beans in a baggy with a bow tying the top closed. Midnight Treat: In a small box or basket that has been decorated, place a few favorite new paperback books and some homemade peanut brittle. Ranger Cookies in Oatmeal Box: Cover a used oatmeal box with clear contact paper or spray with clear sealant. Fill with oatmeal, cowboy or ranger cookies. Add a red bow to the lid. Be sure to include the recipe.

MEXICAN POPCORN 3 quarts popped popcorn 4 cups rice squares cereal 1 cup peanuts ½ cup margarine 1 package taco seasoning ¼ cup brown sugar Mix popcorn, cereal & peanuts together in large pan. Melt margarine; mix with taco seasoning & brown sugar. Drizzle over mixture. Bake at 300°F for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place in a decorative tin or popcorn bag, tie with a ribbon, & presto – a great, economical gift for the entire family.

Stenciled Paper Bags: Plain lunch bags can be hand-stamped with potato prints of Christmas stamps for a bag of cookies, popcorn, or other food items.

A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES What family wouldn’t enjoy a basket filled with popcorn? Add a carton of a favorite soft drink & a free movie rental, and you have a family night at the movies.

HERBED BREAD 1 stick margarine 1 tablespoon parsley, snipped

POPPYCOCK POPCORN

1 teaspoon dill weed

4 quarts popped popcorn (⅓ cup un-popped corn = 2 ½ quarts popped popcorn)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup peanuts

Melt margarine; add parsley, dill weed and lemon juice. Dip each biscuit in butter mixture. Place in tube or bundt pan, standing up. Overlap each biscuit, making a ring. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until golden. Turn out in plate or basket. Give in a tube pan wrapped in cellophane or on a pretty plate or in a fabric-lined basket.

1 cup sugar 1 cup light corn syrup 1 cup peanut butter 2 tablespoons margarine Combine popcorn & peanuts in a large ovenproof pan and set in warm oven. In heavy saucepan, mix together sugar & corn syrup; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Pour peanut butter mixture over popcorn mixture; gently stir to coat evenly. Spread on waxed paper. Cool & break into pieces.

2 cans biscuits

DINNER TIP: There is never a shortage of occasions to eat this time of year so baked gifts are often the most appreciated. Small-sized baked goods are certain crowd pleasers.

MIXES IN JARS These mixes are unique because, first, they are made by you and, second, they are layered in jars and are quite decorative once completed. Simply layer the ingredients in a quart-size, wide-mouth jar; top with a fancy lid or tie with a raffia bow. Then attach the recipe and you have a wonderful, home-made gift every one will love. Or add all of the ingredients into a fancy plastic bag, seal closed and attach a homemade label.

Line metal tins with non-reactive tissue paper before loading in goodies. Wrap moist foods in cellophane or plastic wrap.

COWBOY COOKIE MIX 1 ⅓ cups quick cooking oats ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup chopped pecans 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder

Pick up pretty plates & platters at yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, etc. fairly inexpensively to use for giving cookies & cakes.

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE MIX ¾ cup chopped salted peanuts ¾ cup packed brown sugar ¾ cup sugar ¾ cup peanut butter chips 1 ½ cups self-rising flour Layer ingredients in a quart-size, wide-mouth jar in the order given. Press each layer down firmly in place before adding the next. Add a card with the following directions:

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl; stir. Add ½ cup softened margarine, ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 1 slightly beaten egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla; mix until completely blended. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350°F for 11-13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 3 dozen.

1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt Layer the ingredients in quart-size, wide mouth jar in the order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next one. Attach the following directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheets. In medium bowl, cream together ½ cup butter or margarine, 1 egg & 1 tsp. vanilla. Empty contents of jar. Shape into walnut-size balls. Place 2-inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 11-13 minutes in preheated oven. Remove from cookie sheets & cool on wire racks.

M&M® COOKIE MIX cream together ½ cup butter or 1 ¼ cup sugar margarine, 1 egg and 1 1 cup M&Ms®teaspoon vanilla. Empty contents of mixed jar. Shape 2 cups all-purpose flour with into ½ tsp. balls. Place 2 baking soda walnut-sized & ½ tsp. baking powder inches apart on prepared cookie Combine sugar, flour, baking soda, & baking sheets. Bake for 11-13 minutes powder in bowl; stir well. oven. Place flour mixture in preheated Re-move in jar; tap jarfrom lightly on counter. Add candies. cookie sheets and cool on Attach the following instructions: wire racks.

M&M® COOKIES Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add ½ cup softened margarine, 1 slightly beaten egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix until blended. Roll dough into walnut-size balls. Place 2” apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375°F for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool.

HOT DRINK MIXES Mix the dry ingredients and attach directions for gift-giving. A decorative idea might be to put the ingredients in a plastic bag, tie securely & wrap with a bow. Put this inside a pretty Christmas cup and attach a cinnamon stick, peppermint, chocolate spoon or candied stirrer. Wrap your mixes in plastic wrap and put inside a festive mug. Fill the cup slightly above the rim with goodies. Place on the center of a large piece of colored cellophane, gather the ends at the top and secure with a ribbon.

FRENCH-STYLE CINNAMON COFFEE MIX ¼ cup non-dairy powdered coffee creamer

SWISS MOCHA MIX 1 cup cocoa 2 cups sugar 2 cups non-fat instant milk 2 cups non-dairy powdered coffee creamer ½ cup instant coffee Mix thoroughly. Add a vanilla bean to the mixture for flavor if desired. Let it stay in the mixture a few days before use. Attach a card with the following directions:

SWISS MOCHA For one cup of beverage, use 3 Tbsp. mix to 6 ounces boiling water.

INSTANT SPICED TEA MIX 1 (9-oz) jar flavored orange powdered drink (i.e. Tang) 1 cup instant tea 1 (6.2-oz) package lemonade mix 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon cinnamon Mix ingredients together. Store in a tightly covered jar. Attach the following directions:

⅓ cup sugar

INSTANT SPICED TEA

¼ cup instant coffee

Put 2 teaspoons mix in cup; add boiling water.

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Blend ingredients in blender. Attach directions below:

FRENCH-STYLE CINNAMON COFFEE For 1 cup of beverage, use 1 Tbsp. mix to 6 ounces boiling water. Serve with a cinnamon stick & a dollop of whipping cream!

HOT CHOCOLATE MIX 1 (8-qt.) box instant non-fat dry milk 1 (1 lb.) box powdered sugar 1 (6 oz.) jar instant powdered coffee creamer 1 (2 lb.) container instant hot cocoa mix

Mix all ingredients. Store in a tightly covered container. Attach directions:

HOT CHOCOLATE Use 3 to 4 tablespoons mix per cup of hot water.

FOOD FROM YOUR KITCHEN Give the following in a tube pan wrapped in cellophane or on a pretty plate or fabric-lined basket.

CHOCOLATE CHIP PIE MIX 1 cup sugar

DECORATIVE HOT DRINK ADDITIONS

½ cup all-purpose flour

To make the above mixes more decorative, put a few chocolate or candied spoons in a coffee mug, along with some individual hot cocoa or coffee packets and you have a great gift for those chilly nights.

1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

CHOCOLATE SPOONS Get good quality plastic spoons. Try using gold or silver (clear is okay, too). Dip them in chocolate (melted chocolate chips work well) & shake off the excess. Place them on wax paper and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy. After they dry, wrap in cellophane and tie with a ribbon.

CANDIED TEA STIRRERS Vegetable cooking spray 34 pieces of fruit flavored hard candy – crushed lemon, cinnamon, etc. 2 tablespoons light corn syrup Heavy weight plastic spoons Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Spray with cooking spray. In a small heavy saucepan, combine crushed candies & corn syrup; melt over low heat, stirring frequently. Spoon candy into the bowl of each spoon. Place spoons on prepared cookie sheet with handles on rims and spoons level. Allow to harden. Store in an air-tight container.

½ cup flaked coconut ½ cup chopped pecans Layer chocolate chips, coconut & pecans in a one-quart, wide mouth jar. Combine sugar & flour in an airtight zipper bag & seal. Place sugar & flour mixture on top of other ingredients. Place seal & ring on top of jar. Decorate the lid with raffia, holiday fabric…. Attach the recipe with the following: Combine ¼ cup melted butter, dry ingredients package & 2 large eggs in a mixing bowl. Stir until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in remaining jar contents. Spoon into an un-baked 9-inch pastry shell. Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes.

BIG DIPPERS 2 ½ packages (8 oz. each) semisweet chocolate squares 12 (about 8-inches long) baked pretzel rods Toppings: chopped toasted nuts, chopped dried fruit, flaked coconut, almond brickle chips, mini peanut butter pieces, green & red sprinkles Place chocolate in 4-cup measuring cup or large glass bowl. In 3 quart saucepan, heat chocolate over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted & smooth. Meanwhile, place each topping choice on a sheet of waxed paper.

Hold one pretzel rod at a time over melted chocolate & spoon chocolate over it, leaving about 2” uncoated at one end. Immediately sprinkle coated pretzel with choice of topping.

HONEY BUN COFFEE CAKE

Carefully place coated pretzel rods in pie plate or shallow bowl, leaning uncoated portion on edge (try to keep pretzels from touching one another) and refrigerate about 15 minutes to set. Apply second coating of melted chocolate & topping choice to each pretzel; refrigerate about 15 minutes to set each layer. Store at room temperature in tightly covered container, with waxed paper between layers, up to 2 weeks. NOTE: We do not recommend using semisweet chocolate pieces for coating as it will not set as well.

¾ cup oil

NINE BEAN SOUP MIX 1 (14 oz) pkg. barley

1 yellow cake mix 4 eggs 1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream ½ cup granulated sugar 1 cup brown sugar 4 teaspoons cinnamon 1 cup raisins (optional) 1 cup chopped pecans (optional) ICING: ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar 6 tablespoons margarine, melted

1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried navy beans

Mix cake mix, eggs, sour cream, granulated sugar and oil together. Pour into a greased & floured 13x9-inch baking pan. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins and pecans; sprinkle over top of cake. Swirl mixture into cake batter with a knife. Bake at 325°F for about 1 hour (until center tests done). Cool slightly. Combine confectioners’ sugar & margarine until smooth. Spread over the cake.

1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried great Northern beans

ORANGE CRANBERRY DELIGHT

1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried green split peas

1 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 19 cups.

¼ cup orange juice concentrate

SUPER EASY FUDGE

½ cup dried cranberries

1 package cream drop candy (the oldfashioned white paper package)

¼ to ⅓ cup granulated sugar

1 (16 oz) pkg. dried red beans 1 (16 oz) pkg. dried pinto beans 1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried lentils 1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried black-eyed peas 1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried black beans

½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

⅔ cup peanut butter

Beat cream cheese until fluffy with an electric mixer; add orange juice concentrate. Stir in pecans, cranberries & sugar. Refrigerate overnight and serve with crackers.

Butter-flavored cooking spray

Sincerely,

Spray an 8” square pan with cooking spray. Combine cream drops & peanut butter in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 1 minute; stir & microwave 30 seconds more.

Carla M. Haley Co. Extension Agent-Family & Consumer Sciences CMH:jds